Westchester Q&A: Dr. Fawaz A. Gerges

Considering Iran Under Moderate Rule

Published: June 8, 1997

(Page 2 of 2)

This is what the whole notion of the clash of civilizations neglects to mention, that it takes for granted that the Muslim world is united. I would argue that the clash of civilizations hypotheses is ahistorical because Islam is not monolithic. The idea of a timeless unitary threat exists in the imagination of some scholars.

Paradoxically, the idea of Islam on the march is propagated by a strange combination of rival political camps. The idea is propagated by some eastern regimes such as Egypt, Algeria and Israel, who are under assault by a vigorous Islamic opposition. It's also propagated by some elements in the West who want to turn the Eastern world into another enemy. And finally, it's propagated by some Islamic militants who resent the West's influence and advocate a confrontation with them.

The militants that really advocate a confrontation with the West represent a tiny fraction within the Muslim world. Unfortunately, this tiny minority is very vocal and dedicated and makes its voice heard by a variety of means, including violence. It's worth noting, by the way, that the overwhelming majority of Muslims live outside the Middle East. There are more Muslims living in Indonesia than there are throughout the Arab lands -- yet hardly any attention is given to the relatively democratic Malaysia, Pakistan and Jordan.

Q. What about Iraq? Can we expect any changes there?

A. The situation in Iraq is truly very complex. The American embargo -- the complete embargo -- I would argue has really consolidated the regime of Saddam Hussein. Many of Iraq's people have come to believe that America really is trying to punish the Iraqi people. Instead of blaming Saddam Hussein for his bloody actions and blunders, now they blame the United States. As you know, Iraq has one of the bloodiest security forces in the world. Dozens of coup d'etats have been attempted in Iraq since 1990-91. The question is, Will one succeed? Surely, the situation on a human level is very desperate in Iraq. Tens of thousands of children have died as a result of the embargo. There is famine, suffering on a large scale. All of those factors have contributed, unfortunately, to the consolidation of the Iraqi regime. When people are starved, they don't have time or energy for politics.

Q. How have you as a Lebanese-American been treated?

A. I think I am one of the fortunate few who has never personally encountered discrimination. But we know discrimination is widespread. After the Oklahoma bombing, more than 200 attacks took place against Arabs and Muslims after people and newspapers speculated about terrorists from the Mideast being responsible. In the minds of many Westerners, Islam has become synonymous with terrorists. The evidence supplied by the F.B.I. and the State Department paints a different picture. Take 1993, when radicals with Muslim backgrounds bombed the World Trade Center. According to the F.B.I., the bombing of the World Trade Center, as reprehensible as it was, was the only violent act committed domestically by people from Muslim backgrounds for that year. The F.B.I. and the State Department reported 72 attacks by Puerto Ricans, 23 attacks by left-wing groups, 16 by Jewish groups and one attack by an anti-Castro group.